CD Review: Levon Helm - "Ramble at the Ryman"

Throughout the year, Levon Helm—legendary
drummer and vocalist for the Band—hosts “Midnight Rambles” at his home
studio in Woodstock, New York. These
events are open to the public and often feature
special guests. Helm decided to pack up
the band and head to the “Carnegie Hall of
the South,” Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium,
to record his latest album, Ramble at the
Ryman. There are few American institutions
with as deep a connection to roots music as
the Ryman, and it serves as the perfect setting
for Helm’s melting pot of blues, soul,
and country.

Opening with “Ophelia,” the funky ode
to a missing love, you can hear how Helm’s
ensemble reinterprets the Band’s classic track
with a pronounced New Orleans feel, especially
in the horn section. Musical Director
and guitarist Larry Campbell plays a short,
but melodic solo that combines some jazz
phrasing with a down-home country feel.
Little Sammy Davis joins the band to bring
some Delta blues to the mix on “Fannie
May” and “Baby Scratch My Back.” Davis’
harmonica adds a real juke-joint flavor to
the festivities and makes me wonder why he
isn’t better known. Nashville resident Sheryl
Crow joins in on the Carter Family’s “No
Depression in Heaven” and adds a lonesome
sound to the country classic.

One of the most achingly beautiful tracks
on the album, Lauralyn Dossett’s “Anna
Lee” serves as a showcase for Helm’s raspy,
Southern twang. Since surviving a bout with
throat cancer, Helm’s voice may have lost
some of its Last Waltz-era power, but it has
gained a unique, emotional character. Helm’s
digs back into his former group’s catalog for
the rambunctious “Rag Mama Rag” and
“The Shape I’m In.” In lieu of the organ intro
on “Chest Fever,” Campbell offers an a cappella
guitar intro that shows off his edgy tone
and burning fingerstyle chops. The album
wraps up with John Hiatt joining the party
on “The Weight.” By adding a danceable vibe
to some of the most beloved Americana tunes
around, Helm—much like he did with Music
from Big Pink—injects a much-needed shot
of soul into the genre.

Since attending a Dave Matthews Band concert as a teenager, Jason has been into all things guitar. An Iowa native, Jason has degrees in Music Business from Minnesota State-Mankato and Jazz Pedagogy from the University of Northern Iowa. Since then, he has spent time doing everything from promotion at an indie music label to organizing guitar workshops all over the country. Currently, Jason lives with his wife, son, and daughter in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

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